U.S. Consumers’ Food Spending Hit Record High in 2022

Dan Economy, This Land of Ours, USDA-ERS

Consumers spent a record amount on food last year. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) shows consumer spending on food reached a record in 2022. Real, or inflation-adjusted, annual food spending in the United States increased steadily from 1997 to 2022, except in 2008 and 2009 during the Great Recession …

Tracking Cotton Futures

Dan Commodities, Cotton, Economy

Today, Mark Oppold has a look at cotton futures and what traders are anticipating. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Track Record Well Received By LegislatorsJanuary 30, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Supports Beef Education and Promotion ProgramsJanuary …

ASI Applauds Support for Checkoffs

Dan Economy, Marketing, Sheep-Goats

The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) welcomed last week’s news that Rep. Barry Moore of Alabama introduced a resolution in support of checkoff funds, such as the American Lamb Board. “Checkoff programs have made significant, measurable strides in raising the level of demand and awareness for our farmers, ranchers and foresters’ products,” said Moore. “This resolution expresses congressional support for checkoffs due …

High Production Costs Won’t Ease Next Year

Dan Corn, Cotton, Economy, Field Crops, Peanuts, Soybeans, Specialty Crops, Wheat

USDA’s first cost of production forecast for major field crops like corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, rice, and others shows that input costs are expected to remain elevated into the next growing season. The costs will likely be at the third-highest level of all time and only slightly lower than the record high in 2022. While some input costs like fertilizer …

Looking Forward to August Crop Report

Dan Agri-Business, Commodities, Corn, Cotton, Economy, Field Crops, Soybeans, Weather, Wheat

We mentioned yesterday that weather is top of mind right now for grain traders. And as Mark Oppold reports, many are also already looking forward to the monthly crop report coming out in August. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida …

Land Sales Slowing, Prices Remain High

Dan Agri-Business, Economy, This Land of Ours

Ag land sales are slowing but the prices are staying high. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The agriculture real estate market entered a period of de-escalation beginning in the fourth quarter of 2022. The market experienced a reduction in both sales volume and value growth since that time, as interest rates increased, and inflation pressures became more …

U.S. Farm Tractor Sales See Gains in June

Dan Agri-Business, Economy

According to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), total farm tractor unit sales in the U.S. turned positive in June for the first time in 2023. Sales were led by continued strength in large tractors and combines. Gains in the U.S. market were led by 100+hp 2WD units, up 25.4 percent, closely followed by 4WD units …

Grain Trade Tracking Reports and Weather

Dan Commodities, Corn, Cotton, Economy, Soybeans

Keeping up with the latest reports and of course the weather is top of mind right now for grain traders. Mark Oppold explains how those two factors could affect their actions. Sponsored ContentFlorida Cattle Enhancement Board Offers Targeted Research for Florida Cattle IndustryFebruary 20, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Allows Viable Research in the Cattle IndustryFebruary 6, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board …

Canned, Frozen Corn Industry Struggling

Dan Corn, Economy, This Land of Ours

Part of the corn industry is struggling and it may affect grocery store shelves. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. For those whose primary experience with corn is the butter-drenched cob variety, it might come as a surprise that other forms of sweet corn are in trouble. A new University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign analysis shows sweet corn production …